AN27.1-2 | Scalp — Glossary

The five layers of the scalp: Skin, dense Connective tissue, Aponeurosis (galea), Loose areolar tissue, Pericranium

A tough fibromuscular sheet connecting frontalis and occipitalis muscles, forming the third layer (A) of the scalp

The fourth layer (L) of the scalp, the 'dangerous layer' where blood and pus can spread freely across the entire calvarium

The periosteum of the skull forming the fifth layer (P) of the scalp, tightly bound to the bone at suture lines

Valveless veins passing through skull foramina connecting extracranial scalp veins with intracranial dural venous sinuses

Blood collection in the loose areolar tissue (layer L) that crosses suture lines and can spread over the entire calvarium, a potential emergency in neonates

Blood collection beneath the pericranium (layer P) limited by periosteal attachment at sutures, confined to one bone, usually self-resolving

A terminal branch of the external carotid artery supplying the lateral scalp, palpable anterior to the ear

A branch of the ophthalmic artery (ICA) supplying the anterior scalp via the supraorbital foramen

A branch of the ophthalmic artery (ICA) supplying the medial forehead and anterior scalp

A branch of the external carotid artery supplying the posterior scalp

The dorsal ramus of C2 supplying the posterior scalp to the vertex; neuralgia causes occipital headache

A branch of CN V3 (mandibular) supplying the lateral scalp; carries parasympathetic fibres from the otic ganglion to the parotid gland

Complete scalp anaesthesia achieved by infiltrating local anaesthetic in a ring around the head above the ears, blocking all converging nerve groups

Thrombosis of intracranial dural venous sinuses, which can result from infection spreading via emissary veins from the scalp

The anterior belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle that raises the eyebrows and wrinkles the forehead, pulling the galea forward

The posterior belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle that retracts the galea posteriorly

Oedema of the scalp crossing suture lines, present at birth from pressure during vaginal delivery, resolving spontaneously

A surgical flap raised in the plane of the loose areolar tissue (layer L), including layers S, C, and A as a single unit

A common scalp cyst arising from sebaceous glands in the skin (layer S), also called pilar cyst

Channels between layers of dura mater draining venous blood from the brain into the internal jugular veins